Collapsible table tennis table

ABSTRACT

A COLLAPSIBLE TABLE TENNIS TABLE IS DISCLOSED HAVING PIVOTABLE TABLE HALVES. ONE TABLE HALF MAY BE POSITIONED SO THAT IT ACTS AS A BACKBOARD WHEN PLAYING SOLO. REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS ARE PROVIDED BETWEEN THE TABLE TOP AND ITS FRAME SO AS TO ABSORB THE WEIGHT OF THE UPRIGHT TABLE HALF USED AS A BACKBOARD. WHEN COLLAPSED, IT MAY   BE WHEELED TO ANY DESIRED LOCATION FOR STORAGE. THE TABLE HALVES ARE CONSTRUCTED BY CONNECTING THE TABLE TOP TO ITS FRAME BY USE OF GLUE AND/OR SCREWS. THE TABLE TOP FRAMES ARE PREFERABLY RECTANGULAR ALUMINUM EXTRUSIONS.

March 2, 1971 J, Roam 3,567,222

COLLAPSIBLE TABLE TENNIS TABLE Filed May 27, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR J E ROME ROB/IVS ATTORNEYS March 2, 1971 J. ROBINS 3,567,222

COLLAPSIBLE TABLE TENNIS TABLE Filed May 27, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet I A? /6/4 m; a a a E nv VE/VTOI? JEROME ROB/IVS ATTORNEYS United States PatentO1 Rice 3,567,222 COLLAPSIBLE TABLE TENNIS TABLE Jerome Robins,Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Wallace Products, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa.Filed May 27, 1968, Ser. No. 732,444 Int. Cl. A63b 61/00 11.3. Cl.273-30 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A collapsible table tennistable is disclosed having pivotable table halves. One table half may bepositioned so that it acts as a backboard when playing solo.Reinforcement brackets are provided between the table top and its frameso as to absorb the weight of the upright table half used as abackboard. When collapsed, it may be wheeled to any desired location forstorage. The table halves are constructed by connecting the table top toits frame by use of glue and/ or screws. The table top frames arepreferably rectangular aluminum extrusions.

A Wide variety of table tennis tables have been proposed heretofore.Some of the tables proposed heretofore provide a playback featurewhereby one half may be positioned vertical with respect to the otherhalf so as to facilitate playing solo. In such constructions, themechanisms which facilitate the playback feature are complicated or donot lend themselves to being used on a collapsible table which can bewheeled to any desired location for storage. Other tables which have thecollapsible and wheeling features do not provide for a playback feature.Other tables which provide for playback feature and are collapsible, arevery expensive, complicated structure, and require a substantiallygreater amount of storage space than that required by the table of thepresent invention.

The table tennis tables of the present invention may be made from tabletops of plywood, hard board, flake board, etc. The table tops arepreferably provided with frames constructed of lightweight rectangularcross section extrusions of aluminum. The table tops are connected tothe frames by use of epoxy resins and screws may be utilized toreinforce the construction. It has been found that the use of onlyscrews to connect the table tops to the frame are inadequate because thetable tops are not sufficiently thick to provide a good joint and thecomposition materials used in the cheaper boards result in the screwsbecoming loose in a very short period of time.

When one table top is positioned perpendicular to the other so as tohave a playback feature, the entire weight of the upright table halvesis placed on the portion of the frame along the mating edge. The tablehalves frequently have weights of 40 to 60 pounds. This amount of weighton the frame portion along the mating edge tends to warp thehorizontally disposed table half or separate the frame from the tabletop along the mating edge. In order to circumvent this problem, thepresent invention includes the provision of reinforcement bracketshaving a portion overlying the table top along the mating edge.

Each table half is provided with a pair of legs mounted for pivotablemovement about an axis parallel to the side edges of the table andthereby being perpendicular to the mating edges of the table halves.Wheel means is provided on each table half along the mating edge whichbecomes functionable only when the table halves are collapsed and in anupright position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible tabletennis table which is light in weight, collapsible, portable, and has aplayback feature.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible,portable table tennis table which has a play- 3,567,222 Patented Mar. 2,1971 back feature and is structurally interrelated in a manner wherebythe table can be made inexpensively.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novelconstruction for table tennis tables which is simple, reliable,inexpensive, while being attractive and capable of having a playbackfeature.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the table tennis table in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the table shown in FIG. 1 with one halfin an upright position to facilitate the playback feature.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the table shown in FIG. 1 but in acollapsed position so that it may be wheeled to a storage area.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the table as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the wheel means on a first half of thetable tennis table.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the wheel means on the second half ofthe table tennis table.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate likeelements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a table tennis table in accordancewith the present invention designated generally at 10.

The table tennis table 10 includes first and second halves pivotablyconnected together. The first half includes a table top 12 and thesecond half includes a table top 14. The table tops 12 and 14 may bemade from plywood, hard board, flake board, and a variety of othermaterials. The table tops are preferably provided with a coating ofglare-proof polyester paint so as to be abrasion-proof and preventstains by various liquids which may be spilled thereon. The table tops12 and 14 are pivotably connected together at their mating edges byhinges 16. As shown more clearly in FIG. 5, the hinges 16 are screwed tothe frames which support the table tops 12 and 14.

Each of the frames for the table tops is identical. Hence, only theframe for table top 14 will be described in detail with correspondingprimed numerals being provided for the corresponding frame components ontable top 12. As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, the table top 14 isprovided with a frame having frame members 18, 20, 22 and 24. Each ofthe frame members are preferably of a rectangular configuration. Asshown more clearly in FIG. 5, the frame members are rectangular orsquare extrusions of aluminum so as to be light in weight, rustproof,and attractive.

The table tops are joined to their frames by an epoxy resin. Thisadhesive bonding may be supplemented by screws. My experience has beenthat it is difticult to provide a lasting connection between thealuminum extrusions and the table top by use of screws when the tabletop is made from a composition material such as hard board or flakeboard. Hence, screws are used only to supplement the adhesive bondingand primarily perform the function of holding the frame members at theproper location with respect to the periphery of the table tops whilethe epoxy resin is drying.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 6, clamps 26 and 26' are provided.Each clamp includes a leg overlying a portion of the table top along themating edges and a portion which is bolted or screwed to the framemember along the mating edges. Thus, clamp 26' overlies table top 12 andhas a leg which is bolted to the frame member 22. Clamp 26' prevents theframe member 22 from separating with respect to the table top 12 when itsupports the entire weight of table top 14 when the latter is in theposition shown in FIG. 2. With the components in the position shown inFIG. 2 wherein table top 14 acts as a backboard, a person may play orpractice table tennis by himself.

Each of the first and second halves of the table' is provided with apair of legs. Each leg of each pair is mounted for pivotable movementabout an axis perpen dicular to the mating edges from the position shownin FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3. The legs associated with thefirst half are designated 28 and 30. Legs 28 and 30 are identical.Hence, only leg 28 will be described in detail.

Leg 28 is an elongated preformed member having its free ends pivotablyconnected to the frame for table top 12. Leg 28 includes a vertical legportion 32, a horizontal leg portion 34, an angled leg portion 36, and avertical leg portion 38. Vertical leg portion 32 is positionedimmediately adjacent the mating edge so that the weight of the uprighthalf in FIG. 2 will be transmitted directly downwardly to the floor byleg portion 32. This eliminates any tendency for the table 10 to fall ortilt over when assembled in the position shown in FIG. 2. If legportions 32 and 34 were connected together by an angled portion as shownat 36, the fulcrum for pivoting the table 10 when assembled as shown inFIG. 2 would be spaced too far away from a vertical plane containingtable top 14 so that an accidental bumping of the table would cause thesame to fall over backwards.

In order to facilitate collapsing of the legs, each of the legs iscoupled to its associated frame by means of pivotably locking bracketswhich are of conventional construction and well known to those skilledin the art of table tennis tables. Hence, further details in that regardare not deemed necessary. The second table half includes legs 42 and 44each pivotably coupled to the frame for table top 14. Legs 42 and 44 areidentical. Hence, only leg 42 will be described in detail.

Leg 42 is an integral elongated member bent into a particularconfiguration with its free ends pivotably coupled to the frame fortable top 14. Leg 42 includes a vertical portion 48 connected to anangle portion 50 which in turn is connected to one end of a horizontalportion 54.

The other end of the horizontal portion 54 is connected to I an angledportion 52 which in turn is connected to the vertical portion 48. Thefree end of portions 46 and 48 are pivotably connected to the frame fortable top 14.

Brackets similar to brackets 40 are utilized for each of the legs 42 and44. The legs 28, 30, 42 and 44 are preferably made from aluminum tubingof circular cross section so as to be lightweight, rustproof, andattractive.

Brackets 56 and 58 of L-shaped configuration are bolted to the framemember 22. See FIGS. 4 and 9. The brackets are preferably made fromrectangular tubing identical to that used for the frame members. Acastor 60 is bolted to the free end of each bracket. Each of the castors60 pivots about an axis which is parallel to its table half. Hence, thecastors 60 may roll on a surface when the table halves are collapsed andin a vertical position as shown in FIG. 3.

A C-shaped bracket 64 is bolted to the frame member 22' on the firsthalf of the table 10. See FIGS. 7 and 8. Bracket 64 has its legs 66 and68 positioned so as to be intermediate the locations of the brackets 56and 58. See FIG. 4 and compare FIG. 8 with FIG. 9. A castor 70 isconnected to the leg 66 and a castor 71 is connected to the leg 68. Thecastors 70 and 71 rotate about an axis parallel to the plane of thetable top 12. Bracket 64 is :made from the same material as brackets 56and 58. Re-

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4 ferring to FIG. 7, the castors rotate about an axis which is spacedfrom their respective table tops by a distance of approximately 2 /2 to3 inches. Thus, the entire width of the table tennis table for purposesof storage is no more than approximately 7 inches.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that a bracket arm 72 is providedon frame portion 24. A similar arm is provided on the other side of thetable top 12. One end of arm 72 is permanently connected to the frameportion 24 by a pivotable joint at pin 74. The other end of arm 72 isreleasably connected to the frame portion 24' by means of a nut 76 whichis adapted to be threadedly coupled to hole 78.

When it is desired to use table top 14 for playing solo, arms 72 arepivoted to the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 after first releasingthe connection between nut 76 and the hole 78. Thereafter, the nut 76 isthreaded to hole 80 on the frame member 24. In this manner, the arms 72maintain the table top 14 in an upright position and may be connected tothe frame for table top 12 in a storage or inoperative position as shownin FIG. 1. The provision of threaded holes 78 and 80, only one of whichis used at any given time, does not detract from the appearance of thetable 10.

Arms 72 may have extra holes 73 which are selectively used with nut 76to change the angle of inclination of top 14 with portion of top 12.Such changes of inclination result in the included angle being less thanfor increased speed of deflection and return.

In view of the above description, a detailed explanation of theoperation of the table 10 is not deemed necessary. When two people areusing the table 10, a net will be installed at the mating edges. Whenplaying solo, table top 14 will be positioned as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4and the arms 72 manipulated to retain the same in an upright position.When it is desired to store the table tennis table 10, it may becollapsed to the position shown in FIG. 3 and wheeled to any desiredstorage location.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A collapsible table tennis table comprising mating first and secondhalves hinged together, each half including a table top adhesivelybonded to a frame of rectangular cross section, the first half havingclamps on the frame and partially overlying the table top of the firsthalf along the mating edge, wheel means supported by each frame alongthe mating edges for supporting the table tops in a collapsed uprightposition, a pair of collapsible legs on each frame, the collapsible legson each frame being mounted for pivotable movement about an axis whichis perpendicular to the mating edges, the legs on said first halfincluding a vertical portion adjacent the mating edges, one end of eachvertical leg portion being pivoted to the first half, and the other endof the vertical leg portion being connected directly to a horizontalportion which is perpendicular to the vertical portion so that when thesecond half is supported in a vertical position by the first half thefirst half will be supported by a floor at a location adjacent to avertical plane containing the second half, and brackets on one of saidhalves for interconnecting the halves when the second half is in anupright position with respect to the first half.

2. A table tennis table in accordance with claim 1 wherein each frame iscomprised of hollow rectangular aluminum tubing, said wheel meansincluding brackets of hollow rectangular aluminum tubing connected tothe frame members along the mating edges, and the free ends of saidbrackets supporting castors.

3. A table tennis table in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wheelmeans includes spaced castors on the frame for said second half, spacedcastors on the frame for said first half, the distance between thecastors on the first half being less than the distance between thecastors on the second half.

4. A table tennis table in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidlast-mentioned brackets are pivotably connected at one end to the firsthalf, and the other end of said brackets being releasablyinterconnectable with the frame member on each of said halves.

5. A collapsible table tennis table comprising mating first and secondhalves, hinge means hinging said halves together along a mating edge,each of said halves including a table top secured to a frame ofrectangular crosssection, a pair of collapsible legs mounted on eachframe, said collapsible legs on each frame being mounted for pivotablemovement about an axis which is perpendicular to said mating edges, thelegs of said first half including a vertical portion adjacent saidmating edges, one end of each vertical position being pivoted to saidfirst half and the other end of said vertical leg portion beingconnected to a horizontal portion which is perpendicular to saidvertical portion so that said first half will be supported by a floor ata location adjacent to a vertical plane defined by said second half whensaid second half is supported in a vertical position by said first half,bracket arm on one of said halves for releasably interconnecting thehalves when said second half is in an upright position with respect tosaid first half, said bracket arms being disposed at an acute angle andextending upwardly with respect to said table top of said first halfwhen said second half is in said upright position, and said second halfincludes means adapted to be releasably interconnected with the otherend of said bracket arms only when said second half is in an uprightposition and supported by said first half.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,545,064 3/1951 Alch 108-1122,643,926 6/1953 Pucci 108131 2,911,217 11/1959 Hirsch et a1 273--303,190,649 6/1965 Heisler 27330 OTHER REFERENCES Sears, Roebuck and Co.,Christmas 1964, p. 318.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner T. BROWN, Assistant Examiner UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,557,222Dated March 2, 1971 Inventor(s) Jerome Robins It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified paten and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5 line 19 change "position" to -portion- Signed and sealed this6th day of July 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLEE EDWARD M.FLETGHER,JR.

Commissioner of Pat Attesting Officer FORM PO-IOSO 0'59! USCOMM-DC 6

